Specialist GP phone consult for PrEP — HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis — anywhere in Australia. Daily and on-demand dosing options discussed. Quarterly screening at the lab is part of standard care.
More than 99% effective at preventing sexually acquired HIV when taken as directed. Same-day phone consults usually available, 7 days a week.
Specialist GP telehealth consult for PrEP — bulk-billed with Medicare or $59 without. Quarterly screening at the lab (HIV + STI screen + kidney/hepatitis monitoring) is part of standard PrEP care and is covered by Medicare. Refill consults are bulk-billed for Medicare card holders or $39 without.
PrEP is for HIV prevention BEFORE exposure. If you have had a possible HIV exposure in the last 72 hours, emergency PEP is the urgent pathway — not PrEP. Many people transition from PEP to PrEP after the PEP course completes where ongoing exposure risk continues.
What PrEP is. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is an antiviral taken before potential HIV exposure that prevents HIV infection when taken as directed. With consistent use, PrEP is more than 99 percent effective at preventing sexually acquired HIV. It does not protect against other STIs, so it is typically used alongside condoms, regular STI screening, and where appropriate DoxyPEP for bacterial-STI protection.
Daily or on-demand. Two evidence-based dosing schedules. Daily PrEP: one dose a day, every day, regardless of when sex is happening — the only protocol with strong evidence for cis women and people with receptive vaginal sex. On-demand (event-based) PrEP: 2 doses between 2 and 24 hours before sex, 1 dose 24 hours after the first, 1 dose 48 hours after the first — currently recommended only for men who have sex with men, best suited to infrequent or predictable sex. The Specialist GP works through which fits your pattern at the consult.
Who PrEP is for. Australian guidelines recommend PrEP for people at substantial HIV exposure risk: men who have sex with men, particularly those who have condomless sex with partners of unknown HIV status; people whose regular partner has HIV and is not virally suppressed; people who inject drugs and share equipment; sex workers; and anyone whose sexual or other exposure patterns put them at meaningful risk. The Specialist GP works through your situation at the consult to decide whether PrEP is the right option.
Starting PrEP — the process. Book a Specialist GP phone consult. The consult covers whether PrEP fits, daily vs on-demand, what to expect, and follow-up routine. Baseline pathology — HIV, kidney function, hepatitis B and C, full STI screen — is arranged on a single referral. Results return in 2 to 4 business days. Once HIV-negative is confirmed, PrEP is arranged on the call. From first consult to first dose: usually within a week.
Ongoing monitoring. Quarterly: HIV test and STI screen — this catches bacterial STIs early so they can be treated. Six-monthly: kidney function and hepatitis status check. All reviews can be done by phone. The Specialist GP reviews results at each interval, discusses any changes or side effects, and continues your care. The monitoring routine is part of how PrEP stays safe and effective over time.
Frequently asked questions
With consistent use, PrEP is more than 99 percent effective at preventing HIV infection. The high effectiveness depends on adherence — meaning PrEP has to be in your system at adequate levels at the time of exposure. With consistent daily use the residual risk is very small. With imperfect adherence the protection drops; this is why the Specialist GP discusses your pattern of risk and whether daily or on-demand dosing fits. See How PrEP works.
Daily PrEP is one dose every day, regardless of sex. On-demand (2-1-1) PrEP is 2 doses 2 to 24 hours before sex, 1 dose 24 hours after, 1 dose 48 hours after. On-demand is recommended only for men who have sex with men; for cis women and receptive vaginal sex, daily dosing is the only protocol with strong evidence. Daily PrEP is also generally simpler if you have sex more than 2 to 3 times a week. See Daily or on-demand.
No — PrEP is taken during periods when you have ongoing HIV exposure risk. If your situation changes (a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner of known HIV status, a long period without exposure, a change to safer practices), PrEP can be stopped. The Specialist GP discusses when to stop and how to manage the transition. If exposure risk returns later, PrEP can be restarted.
Usually within a week. Phone consults are typically available same-day. Baseline tests (HIV, kidney function, hepatitis B and C, STI screen) take 2 to 4 business days. Once HIV-negative is confirmed, treatment is arranged and you can start. For daily PrEP, full protection is generally reached after 7 days of daily use. For on-demand dosing, the loading dose of 2 doses is what gets PrEP to protective levels. See Starting PrEP.
Most people tolerate PrEP well. The most common early side effects are mild stomach symptoms (nausea, loose stools, headache) in the first 2 to 4 weeks — these usually settle without needing to stop. Less common effects are a small reduction in kidney function (monitored every 6 months) and a small reduction in bone mineral density with long-term use (clinically significant only in people with other risk factors). Serious side effects are uncommon. See Side effects.
No. PrEP prevents HIV only. It does not protect against chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, mycoplasma genitalium, herpes, HPV, or hepatitis. The quarterly STI screen that goes with PrEP catches bacterial STIs early so they can be treated. Condoms still play a role in other-STI prevention. For additional bacterial-STI prevention, see DoxyPEP.
Yes, but the management is more careful. PrEP also has activity against hepatitis B, so stopping PrEP suddenly in someone with chronic hepatitis B can cause a hepatitis flare. The pre-start workup includes hepatitis B status testing for this reason. If you have chronic hepatitis B, PrEP can still be started with input from a hepatologist or infectious diseases physician. The Specialist GP arranges this if needed.
PrEP is fully available by telehealth. The Specialist GP can do the initial consult, baseline workup interpretation, treatment arrangement, and ongoing quarterly reviews all by phone. The only in-person component is the pathology blood draws, which happens at any Australian pathology lab. In-person consults at our East Melbourne clinic are available for Melbourne residents who prefer face-to-face.
Yes — transferring care is straightforward. Bring (or arrange to share) your recent monitoring results and starting workup notes. There is no need to interrupt your PrEP during the transfer. The Specialist GP can pick up the monitoring schedule from where you left off and continue your care. See Transferring care.
With a Medicare card, the Specialist GP consult is bulk-billed and pathology tests are covered by Medicare — PrEP screening is free. Without Medicare, the initial consult is $59 and refill consults are $39. Additional pathology lab fees may apply without Medicare; most Private Health Insurers cover them — check with the lab you attend. See our fees page for full pricing.
